WICB’s Nanthan slams Sammy
ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):The vice-president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Emmanuel Nanthan, yesterday launched a major broadside against Darren Sammy 48 hours after he led West Indies into the history books by becoming the first team to capture the T20 World Cup twice.Nanton has blasted as “irrelevant, demeaning, insulting, and unfortunate” comments made by Sammy minutes after West Indies pulled off a stunning four-wicket victory over England to seal the title.Sammy courted controversy when he hit out at the WICB for its lack of support and praised Prime Minister of Grenada Dr Keith Mitchell and CARICOM for messages of support, which inspired his team.”So to try to make it look like the board was inefficient in any way is rather unfortunate,” declared Nanton in a radio interview in Dominica.”To spoil what was a tremendous achievement for the Caribbean civilisation with comments that are totally irrelevant and demeaning and insulting to the Caribbean people I believe was rather unfortunate”.Contracts disputeSammy’s comments were also made against the backdrop of the players’ contracts dispute with the WICB before the start of the tournament back in February, which threatened the side’s participation.Sammy acted as the players’ representative during the brief impasse.The WICB vice-president also took issue with the players for complaining about a reduction in their fee structure for the World Cup while not disclosing increases in fees for the regional competition.”So the players complained that for the World Cup, their fees went down maybe by US$20,000 or thereabout. But they did not say that the week before they got the World Cup contract, all of them signed contracts for the regional competition, where their fees went up by US$80,000, $140,000, $145,000, and $75,000. They did not say that,” said Nanthan.”But they are saying that they had a loss of US$20,000 each on the World Cup. The World Cup is every other year. Our regional competition is every year. So really and truly, they weremaking noise for losing $20,000 on one side but gaining $150,000 or $280,000 in some instances on the other hand and never ever said that to anybody.”Praised new managerOn Sunday, Sammy also praised newly installed manager Rawl Lewis, who, he said, went to extraordinary lengths to solve a uniform problem during the pre-tournament camp in Dubai.But Nanthan has dismissed Sammy’s comments on this issue as misleading, blaming the impasse for the delay in printing numbers on the uniforms.”The date was coming. The players had not consented to go to play, so the company delivered the uniforms without the numbers in them because we were not sure which players we going to play,” he said.”So when the logistics officer left the Caribbean for Dubai, he had a ticket in his hands to go to pick up the uniforms in Calcutta, put the numbers on them, and carry them himself to the team well before the World Cup.”Earlier, the WICB, in a release, had described Sammy’s comments as “inappropriate” and promised an investigation with a view to taking necessary action.Nanthan’s comments are likely to fuel more tension between the champion West Indies side, which has garnered massive support in the region, and an embattled Dave Cameron-led WICB, which is coming under mounting public pressure to step down.
National team head coach Francis Vicente. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOBIÑAN, Laguna—Philippine head coach Francis Vicente had a high vantage point as he watched his defensive ace Dawn Macandili claim the second Best Libero award in the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship.And as the national mentor looked on, he immediately knew a perpetual volleyball program for the country can produce more players like Dawn Macandili.ADVERTISEMENT 2 nabbed in Bicol drug stings Filipino fans make Korea star Kim Yeon-koung feel at home View comments Vilma Santos, Luis Manzano warn public of fake account posing as her Albay to send off disaster response team to Batangas Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks PLAY LIST 01:40Filipinos turn Taal Volcano ash, plastic trash into bricks01:32Taal Volcano watch: Island fissures steaming, lake water receding02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite LATEST STORIES “This is why we need to just trust on a continuous program for a national team,” said Vicente Thursday at Alonte Sports Arena.CONTRIBUTED PHOTOThe Philippines team for the AVC and the upcoming Southeast Asian Games was formed just few months before the grueling August stretch.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSEnd of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legendSPORTSRedemption is sweet for Ginebra, Scottie ThompsonSPORTSMayweather beats Pacquiao, Canelo for ‘Fighter of the Decade’Vicente added that other positions could also win individual awards in international tournaments and not just the Best Libero plum.“Let’s be patient, let’s support the national team,” said Vicente. “For me we should all be united and stop the crab mentality that we drag other players down.” Ai-Ai delas Alas on Jiro Manio: ‘Sana pinahalagahan niya ang naitulong ko’
Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next End of his agony? SC rules in favor of Espinosa, orders promoter heirs to pay boxing legend Teen gunned down in Masbate Marcosian mode: Duterte threatens to arrest water execs ‘one night’ 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano MOST READ 787 earthquakes recorded in 24 hours due to restive Taal Volcano Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. 
Trump assembles a made-for-TV impeachment defense team Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone brushed this one aside as “one of those nights” and will spend the one-day break planning for a fightback like no other by San Miguel Beer.ADVERTISEMENT ‘High crimes and misdemeanors’: Trump impeachment trial begins LATEST STORIES Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Using a strong start and a sustained effort the rest of the way, the Gin Kings blew the defending champion Beermen off the floor and scored a 127-99 Game 1 victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup title series that belied all pre-tournament talk about this best-of-seven series being close.And that’s what worries Cone the most.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone still willing to coach Gilas but admits decision won’t be ‘simple yes or no’“We steered the beehive and they (Beermen) will stick it to us in Game 2,” Cone said after getting 42 points from import Justin Brownlee and twin digits from four locals in the unexpected rout which surprised even the multi-titled coach.“It was one of those nights when we had it and they didn’t,” Cone went on. “We didn’t win the series yet, but we got Game 1 and that’s important. They’re a veteran team and they’ve been in this situation so many times. We are expecting a real forceful game from them in Game 2.” Putin’s, Xi’s ruler-for-life moves pose challenges to West DepEd’s Taal challenge: 30K students displaced Lacson: Calamity fund cut; where did P4 billion go? Report: Disney dropping the ‘Fox’ from movie studio names Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew The Kings dropped 35 points in the first quarter – with Brownlee shooting 18 – to lead by 15 at the start of the second. They opened the second half with a 19-point lead that the Beermen spent the rest of the last two quarters trying to overhaul.San Miguel didn’t even come close to doing that.Ginebra led by as large as 39 using its shock troopers as the Kings built their confidence some more with the second game slated Sunday at 6:30 p.m. also at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.ADVERTISEMENT MOST READ ONE: Pacio submits Mitsatit with ‘passion lock’ for third straight win Palace OKs total deployment ban on Kuwait OFWs In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ View comments
The beauty of the Warriors — or irritation, depending on the rooting interest — is how quickly they can recover. They used a 21-3 run over the next 5:51 to take control, with their long-range shooting simply too much for this undermanned Wolves team that, even at full strength, is vulnerable defensively.Jerebko, whose playing time has dwindled since DeMarcus Cousins returned, had 14 points in the second quarter alone, including a couple of deep 3-pointers from the wing to help the Warriors cruise into halftime with a 59-47 lead.The Wolves managed to work their way back to tie the game at 61 on Okogie’s 3-pointer, but the Warriors needed only 3:18 for a 14-1 spurt that put them right back in charge. Curry had eight of those points.“We were scoring two. They were scoring threes,” Towns said. “That put them up a little bit. We had some breakdowns, but we played hard.”THE FINISHThe Timberwolves haven’t been above the .500 mark since they were 13-12, entering a four-game trip on Dec. 8 and dropped all four of those. Of their final 15 games in this tumultuous season, 12 of those opponents currently above the cut for the playoffs. The Warriors? They’ll only face a top-eight team in either conference four more times, with 12 games to go.SPLISH SPLASHCurry went 8 for 14 from 3-point range, pushing him past the 300 mark for the third time in four seasons. Joining Houston’s James Harden, Curry gave the NBA two players with 300-plus 3-pointers made for the first time in the same season. Curry, who set the record of 402 three years ago, has five of the top seven single-season totals in league history.“He loves to put on a show, both with his skill and with his personality,” coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s a pleasure to watch that.”TIP-INS Warriors: Andrew Bogut started for DeMarcus Cousins (sore right ankle) for the second straight game and had two points and six rebounds in 13 minutes. Cousins is expected to play in the next game, Kerr said. … With Curry, Bogut, Green and Thompson in the starting lineup at the same time, the Warriors have won 108 of 133 games. … Jerebko reached double-digit points for the first time in 29 games, since Dec. 22 against Dallas (23 points).Timberwolves: Towns posted his fourth 20-20 game this season. … Rookie Cameron Reynolds was signed for the rest of the season after his second 10-day contract expired. … Taj Gibson hurt his left calf in the second quarter and didn’t return. … The Wolves have lost the season series to the Warriors for 10 straight years.UP NEXTWarriors: Host Indiana on Thursday night.Timberwolves: Play at Charlotte on Thursday night.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Gretchen Barretto’s daughter Dominique graduates magna cum laude from California college Rogue cops marked as Gamboa’s targets in his appointment as PNP chief View comments MOST READ Stephen Curry scored 22 of his 36 points in the third quarter and Klay Thompson pitched in with 28 points, giving the Warriors more than enough production to beat the fading Timberwolves 117-107 on Tuesday and regain first place in the Western Conference.“If we can do that the rest of the way to the playoffs, we will definitely solidify this No. 1 seed,” Thompson said.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGolden State Warriors sign Lee to multiyear contract, bring back ChrissSPORTSCoronation night?SPORTSThirdy Ravena gets offers from Asia, Australian ball clubsThe Warriors had 39 assists on 44 made field goals and finished 19 for 42 from 3-point range. They’ve won 20 of their last 25 games away from home.“Some possessions, it was a lot of overpassing, to be honest,” Curry said, “but against teams that try to put pressure on you and take away that first option, that’s the best way for us to really attack.” Japeth Aguilar wins 1st PBA Finals MVP award for Ginebra Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Kevin Durant out with Achilles injury; to undergo MRI on Tuesday PLAY LIST 03:12Kevin Durant out with Achilles injury; to undergo MRI on Tuesday01:43Who are Filipinos rooting for in the NBA Finals?02:25Raptors or Warriors? PBA players take their pick of NBA champ02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award
Jonas Jerebko added 18 points, Kevin Durant scored 17 points and Draymond Green had 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Warriors (48-22), who bounced back with little rest from a loss at San Antonio on Monday and moved a half-game ahead of idle Denver (47-22) for the top seed. The Warriors beat Houston and Oklahoma City, currently in the third and sixth spots in the stacked conference race, to start the trip. Falling at home to Phoenix clearly captured their attention.“I think that loss is probably the biggest lesson for us throughout the season,” Durant said.Karl-Anthony Towns had 26 points and 21 rebounds, Andrew Wiggins totaled 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists and Josh Okogie had 19 points for the Timberwolves, who played again without the injured Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose, Robert Covington and Luol Deng, and lost their fourth straight game.“When you’re going against the world champions, you have to really be on your game offensively and defensively,” Wolves coach Ryan Saunders said, “then just your collective resolve as a group to withstand those runs.”The Warriors, finishing their ninth set of games on consecutive nights out of 12 back-to-backs on their schedule this season, started rather sleepily and watched the Wolves build a 22-9 lead.ADVERTISEMENT Minnesota Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns, left, fends off Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 19, 2019, in Minneapolis. The Warriors won 117-107. Towns led the Timberwolves with 26 points and 21 rebounds. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)MINNEAPOLIS — Golden State’s most recent homestand included a 33-point loss to Boston and a startling defeat to last-place Phoenix, reminding the Warriors of the work that’s ahead of them to win a fourth NBA championship in five years.The Warriors passed their first challenge with a 3-1 record on this tough road trip, finishing in Minnesota with a clinic in half-court passing and shooting.ADVERTISEMENT Phivolcs: Slim probability of Taal Volcano caldera eruption Ginebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup title Eugenie Bouchard’s bid for Australian Open spot ends in qualifying LATEST STORIES Tom Brady most dominant player in AFC championship history With stars Antetokounmpo, James out, Bucks subdue Lakers’ fightback Will you be the first P16 Billion Powerball jackpot winner from the Philippines?
West Demerara drug bustThe ex-wife of self-confessed drug baron Barry Dataram and three other persons are to stand trial starting August 3, 2016 for the 76.9kg of cannabis found in their possession earlier this month.This ruling was handed down by Magistrate Christel Lambert on Friday at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.Sheleza Khan, Dataram’s ex-wife, was charged along with Balkhrison “Johnny” Ramdass, Felicia Laundry and Andrea Karan for trafficking in narcotics.Ramdass was the lone accused who appeared in court on Friday.According to the prosecution, between June 7 and 9, 2016 at 54 Almond Avenue, Roraima Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, they were in possession of 76. 910kg of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.Ramdass was also slapped with a second charge which stated that he solicited persons to traffic narcotics.According to the prosecution, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) officers, acting on information received from a source, swooped down on the house where the drug was found.On June 13, the four defendants appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were all remanded, while the matter was transferred to the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.It is believed that at the time of the raid, the marijuana was being prepared to be shipped abroad as most of it was in sealed plastic packages.In court on Friday, Attorney-at-Law Mark Waldron made an unsuccessful bail application for his clients, Khan, Laundry and Karan, on the grounds that they were not in control of the cannabis at the time of their arrest.Ramdass’ Attorney, Gordon Gilhuys, also unsuccessfully made a bail application.The CANU Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the Unit was in possession of video footage which showed the defendants all handling the narcotics.The Prosecutor also disclosed that after the raid, it was discovered that the house had equipment like sealing machines, etc, which indicated that there was a huge operation ongoing.Bail was denied and the defendants are to return to court on July 8 for statements and then on August 3 when the trial will commence.
Govt’s “differentiated approach” to wagesGovernment’s proposal to pay public servants based on their performance has been placed under scrutiny, as political commentator Dr David Hinds said the deal might do more harm than good.Dr David HindsHe said Government instead of going that route, should pay every worker a living wage.Government has proposed to the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) that a “differentiated approach” (performance-based salary increase) replace the across-the-board percentage increase usually paid to public servants.“I think it is something worth thinking about. I think they are talking about paying the workers based on performance and I think there are some problems with that. I think all workers should be paid a living wage,” Hinds told Guyana Times.The Arizona University professor said that he was very much sceptical about the proposal, which the GPSU said it was going to consider.Government and the Public Service representative late last week entered into bilateral talks, and several proposals and considerations were made by both parties.The performance-based proposal had sprung from a previous pronouncement made by President David Granger, driving home the message that lazy public servants would receive a lazy person’s pay.But Hinds said this proposal was one that should be carefully considered by Government.“If you’re talking about performance, then that should be on top of workers being paid a living wage. I’m very sceptical about the talk of performance, because people come to the workplace with different challenges. You will have the woman who is a single parent, who has five children to deal with in the morning before she comes to work. She comes to the workplace sometimes with tremendous pressure on her head that could affect her performance on the job and if you’re talking about paying her based on performance and not taking into consideration the social situation, I think you are running into a situation,” he explained.He said while a salary increase based on performance was not in itself a bad thing, he still remained sceptical.“One has to be careful that that approach does not lead to a hierarchy at the workplace that could in the long run defeat the purpose. Further, one has to be careful that it is not being used to discriminate against workers who may be at odds with management or too vocal at the workplace.”He said attention should also be placed on the social circumstances of the individual workers, because workers came from different households and they brought to the workplace their different experiences.“There are kinds of social factors that could influence workers’ performances. Workers from stable households may start with an advantage. The system of evaluation, therefore, has to be fair, just and transparent. Perhaps a compromise could be reached where the bulk of the salary increases are given across the board and the remainder is based on performance,” Dr Hinds stated.He also said he was not negating the fact that there were workers who neglected their work, but that has to be addressed. “But I don’t think that we should lump all workers who do not perform.”Day one of talks between the GPSU and Government on public servants’ wages and salaries for 2016 culminated with the Union agreeing to look at the State’s proposal to replace the across-the-board increase.According to a joint statement issued last Wednesday, following discussions, the two parties entered into the agreement.“GPSU agrees to explore the Government’s proposal for the differentiated approach to replace the across-the-board percentage increase,” the release stated.The parties also agreed that the negotiations were conducted in the spirit and obligations of the Memorandum of Agreement between the GPSU and the Public Service Ministry now Department for the avoidance and settlement of disputes.The bargaining unit is to consist of persons employed under the Department of the Public Service (DPS) and Public Service Commission (PSC), including those on contract, the statement detailed. An agreement also was made for a committee to be initiated to make recommendations to the negotiating team on allowances for public servants as soon as possible.The negotiating team is scheduled to meet again today.Meanwhile, while talks were ongoing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon sought to respond to complaints by the Union that Government omitted allowance negotiations from the discussions. He explained that the Administration preferred a sequential process when engaging in these discussions.Speaking at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, the Minister said the letter from the Union detailing the concern was received after the conclusion of the Cabinet meeting.“We have indicated to the Union upon receipt of the letter which voiced their concerns and we have made known to them that we prefer a sequential process when engaging in these negotiations. We would not lump wages and salaries with allowances, our preference is to take it consecutively,” Harmon said.The Minister of State disclosed that the Government wrote the Union explaining that it had no intention of omitting allowances.“We did say that for over 20 years, the allowances hadn’t been touched and, therefore, we could not now, in our first year in Government, say that we are not going to touch allowances, so we did communicate to the Union that wages, salaries and allowances will be dealt with, but we prefer to deal with them one after the other.”The GPSU on Tuesday, in accepting an invitation from the Ministry of the Presidency to commence negations on public servants’ wages and salaries, noted that it wanted discussions on allowances to be included on the agenda.GPSU President Patrick Yarde had said that the invitation omitted negotiations on allowances, which the Union would not stand for.Minister Harmon stated that the Union’s comments were expected.“I must say that I am not surprised that the Union has started off that way, because usually that is how unions operate, but we know that the atmosphere in which these negotiations take place, it is a friendly atmosphere where there is no antagonism between the Public Service Union and the Government’s side and, therefore, both sides will negotiate and negotiate hard,” Harmon remarked.He noted that Government was optimistic about the negotiations.
The Fort St. John Curling Club hosted the Travellers Curling Club Championship over the weekend which served as a zones tournament for teams in the region. In the men’s final Mark Pillswort’s Grande Prairie team booked their tickets to provincials in October in Calgary with a 6-5 victory.After the victory he said the ice was difficult to navigate which forced the team to stay mentally sharp throughout the finals.“It was challenging. We were on sheet one and there was some spots that would curl lots and some spots that were straight. You had to focus the whole game and any mental slip and you were missing shots.”- Advertisement -Heading into the final end Pillswort was crossing his fingers for an easy shot with his final stone, but wound up not even needing to throw it.“We just had to keep it clean and have an easy open shot and not make it too complicated for my last. The guys ended up playing a pretty good end so I didn’t have to throw my last.”The event was Pillswort’s fifth time competing at zones and the win was his first victory after a few defeats previously in the finalsAdvertisement
SYLMAR – A sword-wielding man who police believe set fire to two church buildings and stabbed a parishioner was shot dead Wednesday by undercover officers, authorities said. Officers in plainclothes found the man hiding in the underbelly of a freeway overpass near the All Nations Church property about 6:30 p.m., said LAPD Deputy Chief Michel Moore. “He was found and a confrontation ensued … The suspect was shot and killed,” Moore said. The man died at the scene and he was not immediately identified. The man was hiding in the 210 Freeway overpass where it stretches over the Tujunga Wash. Police said weapons were found in the crawl space where the man was found and shot, roughly 30 yards from church grounds. Police believe it was the same man who on Tuesday wore green military fatigues and carried a 4-foot sword and a dagger when he attacked a man playing the drums inside a building at the church. The assailant also set fire to two office buildings on the property. The sword sliced the drummer’s arm when he tried to block the blow. The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to a hospital, treated and released, police said. The attacker was described as 30 to 40 years old, with tattoos on his face and arms. Officers gave up the hunt about 10 p.m. Tuesday, but searched for the suspect all day Wednesday. Police said fire officials responded to another stabbing report at the church about six months ago and are investigating to see if the cases are linked. The House of Worship Task Force, made up of representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department and FBI, is investigating the crime. Police knew of no motive for the attacks. After the attack, the suspect fled from the building and police chased him for a short time before he ran into a storm pipe and got away, LAPD Office Jason Lee said. rick.coca@dailynews.com (818) 713-3329160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!
Fredy Guarin 1 Fredy Guarin’s agent has denied he is angry to still be at Inter Milan.The Colombian was reportedly a man in demand over the summer, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Juventus all linked with him.A move failed to materialise, however, and some reports have suggested Guarin was upset not to leave the club.But his agent, Marcelona Ferreyra, says he is happy to be at the San Siro and will show his best form for Inter as a result.“I want to make it clear Guarin never requested a transfer,” Ferreyra told Calciomercato.com.“Fredy is happy at Inter, always has been and will continue to be. We are absolutely not thinking about the transfer market.“Fredy has everything he wants at Inter and has no need to go elsewhere. From what I hear, the offers were received by Inter.“Walter Mazzarri will get the best out of him, just as he did last year.”
But Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler called jurors in and asked them how the court might help them break the deadlock, which the foreman said is a 7-5 split without indicating which direction the panel was leaning. Several jurors spoke up, citing differences of opinion among them on the evidence and on the concept of reasonable doubt. The judge said outside their presence that he would have to tell the jury that deciding reasonable doubt is “an individual determination” that is part of the deliberation process. However, he later decided to withdraw a jury instruction that seemed to confuse a few jurors. In order to convict Spector of second- degree murder it required them to find that “the defendant must have committed an act that caused the death of Lana Clarkson.” It went on to specify that the act was pointing a gun at her, which resulted in the gun entering her mouth while in Spector’s hand. TRIAL: He says deadlocked jury would be influenced if he let it consider lesser charge. By Linda Deutsch THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The judge in Phil Spector’s trial retracted his idea of giving the deadlocked jury a new instruction Wednesday on a lesser charge than second-degree murder, saying it would be tantamount to telling them to convict the record producer of involuntary manslaughter. “I think some jurors may have a question about whether every element of that instruction must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt,” one juror had said. The judge said that after re-reading the instruction, he decided that it misstates the law and was going to withdraw it. The defense objected, saying he would be sending a message to jurors who relied on the instruction that they had been wrong in their opinions. Fidler offered defense attorneys a chance to present new final arguments on the issue but they declined, saying that would just draw undue attention to it and would allow the prosecution to present a new theory of the case. The defense once more moved for a mistrial, which the judge refused. The possibility of giving the jury a new instruction to consider involuntary manslaughter was raised by the judge after the impasse was revealed, but he ultimately reasoned against it. “We’d all like this case to get resolved and have the jury arrive at a result,” said Fidler, who cited the five-month ordeal for jurors, the defendant and the family of Clarkson, the actress who died of a gunshot in the mouth at Spector’s mansion in 2003. “But at a certain point in deliberations after the jury has arrived at an impasse, to give them a new offense ? is essentially saying to them, `If you can’t find him guilty with what you have, try this,”‘ he said. “It would be inappropriate to instruct the jury at this time on a lesser offense of manslaughter,” he said. The judge rejected strenuous arguments from prosecutor Alan Jackson urging the instruction and accepted equally vigorous statements of law by defense attorney Bradley Brunon, who noted that the prosecution had never asked for an instruction on involuntary manslaughter and would be changing their theory of the case in midstream. Jackson said he wasn’t changing his theory, which could be applied to manslaughter as well as murder. But the judge challenged him: “If the facts are so clear why didn’t you argue them? Why didn’t you ask the court to include lessers?” Jackson said it was “our strategic position at the time.” More than an hour of arguments revolved around interpretations of California Supreme Court precedents, one dating to 1904. Fidler had thrown defense lawyers into a panic Tuesday when jurors reported the deadlock and he suggested that a case he had found might support giving an instruction on a lesser offense. But overnight, he said, he did further research that changed his mind. He said a new instruction would be perceived as telling them what to do. Spector, 67, is charged with murdering Clarkson in his Alhambra mansion on Feb. 3, 2003, a few hours after she met him at her job as a nightclub hostess and went home with him. The defense maintains Clarkson, 40, was depressed and shot herself either on purpose or by accident.160Want local news?Sign up for the Localist and stay informed Something went wrong. Please try again.subscribeCongratulations! You’re all set!